Renard Press scoops 'captivating' debut novel from Beard

Renard Press has scooped Americanitus, the "extraordinary" debut novel from Miles Beard.

Publisher Will Dady acquired world English-language rights from Matthew Smith at Exprimez Literary Agency. The novel will be published in August 2024.

"Miles has written an astonishing debut that will challenge and enthral readers with its unique story line and characters, and its originality and appeal can only be enhanced by working with Will and the brilliant team at Renard," said Smith. 

Americanitus is a "brilliant and fascinating" work of autofiction following academic and hypochondriac Miles who, having returned to Scotland, has been encouraged by a therapist to write a fictionalised account of his life to "pinpoint the sources of his anxiety". As the narrative continues, and Miles’ double life becomes apparent, questions begin to build about what happened in the final days of his marriage before his wife’s death.

Beard teaches at the Open University in Scotland and spent time studying in the US and the UK. He commented: "I wrote Americanitis because I wanted readers to think differently about reading, writing and what it means to share yourself with another. Renard is the perfect publisher to release it as they are globally minded and a champion of unconventional stories and voices. I am excited to have the novel in the hands of readers and hope that, as the title suggests, the enthusiasm we have for Miles’ surprising narrative will be catching."

Dady added: "I’m absolutely delighted to have acquired the rights to Americanitis, an extraordinary novel that toys with the genre of autofiction, casting a version of our author in the leading role. I think it’s fair to say that many in Renard’s list challenge our notions about form as well as content, and Miles’ compelling and captivating tale does just that, deftly toying with the reader from start to finish. It’s a joy to read and a thrill to see on our shelves."